Free Right Turn Ok By LA Fitness?

[andasai]

If one is driving south on Fauntleroy, just past Trader Joe’s, there’s a stoplight at Alaska street, right by the LA Fitness. At that SW(?) corner, is it ok to take a free right at a red light to Alaska street? There’s no sign prohibiting it but that corner is at such a weird wide angle, I wanted to clarify.

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[sw]

I don’t know for sure but my inclination is no. It’s not a true right turn, and the crosswalk is active at times when the light is red. There probably should be a sign prohibiting a right turn on red (which will undoubtedly be ignored like at the 4-way walk intersection).

Thank you for asking – too many people these days are ignoring the rules of the road (and common courtesy) when traveling on Fauntleroy through The Triangle.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by sw.

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[dobro]

There definitely should be a no turn on red sign there. The pedestrian walk light is on during that red light and it would be nice if that was made explicitly clear to drivers.

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[CarDriver]

There IS a free right there. Unless there is a sign prohibiting it. Right turns are completely legal. Note:pedestrians have the right of way!. If people think there shouldn’t be right turns there the correct-and legal thing to do is either gather at city council chambers to voice your opinions or gather signatures for an initiative. Being a roadway vigilante by applying the law the way you think it should be simply makes you as big a problem on the road as those that do beak the law.

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[SouthEasterBunny]

If I’m not mistaken, there’s an arrow there. If the arrow is red, then there’s no turn, no matter what. If a turn were permitted, the signal would be a disc, not an arrow.

This is similar to the right turn by Chelan Cafe – this red guards the crosswalk across Spokane which is blind from that corner. Also the right turn off the ramp at City Light at 4th Avenue. Visibility is too poor looking south to make a safe turn to head north.

I’m always amazed at how many people treat these arrows like regular red lights, when they’re no different than a left turn arrow.

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[EdSane]

The arrow is signifying the direction of travel for the lane it does not block you from turning right after coming to a complete stop.

For reference:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/is-it-ok-to-turn-right-on-a-red-arrow/

• This reply was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by EdSane.

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[SouthEasterBunny]

Thanks EdSane… yes, right turns on an arrow are indeed allowed if there is no sign prohibiting it. Apparently WA uses arrows as directional signals in turn-only lanes.

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[KBear]

It sure looks like a place you shouldn’t be allowed to turn right on red. The stop line is a long way before the intersection, and you have to cross over the bus lane. It can be very difficult to see whether any traffic is coming on Alaska before you begin your turn. However, I agree with Ed and CarDriver. It is legal unless there’s a sign prohibiting it.

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[scott]

I agree that it is legal, but very dangerous. The angle of Fauntleroy vs. Alaska makes it particularly difficult to judge oncoming westbound traffic on Alaska. I’m an impatient driver yet I won’t make this turn on red.

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[TSurly]

@CarDriver perhaps I am misunderstanding what you are saying, but are you calling people who comment that there should be no right turn here vigilantes? If so, are people who do not make a right on red there because they are uncomfortable with the awkwardness of the intersection vigilantes as well?

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[dobro]

“Being a roadway vigilante by applying the law the way you think it should be simply makes you as big a problem on the road as those that do beak the law.”

A bit of hyperbole there. No one is applying any laws, we’re discussing our opinions of a possibly dangerous situation that might be well served by looking at the current state of the law and considering a modification for a specific situation. Name calling doesn’t add much to the conversation.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by dobro.

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[KBear]

I think the “vigilantes” CarDriver is referring to are those who choose to wait for a green light before turning. While it is legal to turn on a red arrow, there’s no requirement to do so. CarDriver probably honks at these people (which is not legal.) CarDriver’s assertion that the waiters create a hazard is nonsense, since the light is red and everyone behind them is also required to stop.

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[CarDriver]

What I am calling out are people that get behind the wheel and don’t feel they have to pay attention and drive. I must be a relic because when my dad taught me to drive he expected me to pay attention and drive without distractions. I call out people as vigilantes because too many seem to feel they only have to drive in a way that pleases themselves and the other drivers on the road don’t matter. I’m only wanting them to follow the law. Is that asking too much?? In regards to right turn’s I’ve waited behind plenty of people that just sit, even though there’s NO side traffic and no pedestrian’s. Does that make them “better” drivers?

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[mark47n]

@CarDriver: I would argue that you are wanting people to follow the laws that pertain to driving YOUR way. If it’s a red arrow then there’s no harm or foul for waiting. While I won’t go so far as to say that it should be a “no turn on right” it’s just fine as is.

What’s it to you? You weird idea of ‘vigilante’ is way, way overstated. Perhaps you should spend some time driving my 30yr old VW van. It’s a wonderful tool for teaching patience. My motorpickle, not so much.

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[scott]

@cardriver: You can make a right turn on red when you feel it is safe to do so. If you’re not the one turning, you are not in a position to judge if it is safe.

A few months ago I was waiting for a pedestrian to turn right on red, with the driver behind me honking for me to turn regardless, as he did not see the pedestrian (or maybe did not care). It turned out that driver and I ended up in the same parking lot so I initiated a very active conversation about the privilege of turning right on red and how not to abuse it.

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[CarDriver]

I judge other’s because if I’m right behind them I can tell if there is a pedestrian in the crosswalk or how the flow of traffic is. I’m well aware that pedestrians have the right of way, and you can’t just pull out in front of someone so that they have to hit the brakes.What should my reaction be when CLEARLY there are no pedestrians and cross traffic is light enough that there is plenty of time to safely turn?. If a driver is unable to discern when it’s safe or not they are not “safer” drivers in my book. I don’t want anyone to be an aggressive driver but do expect you to actually concentrate on getting from point A to point B. Gentle reminder: driving isn’t a “right” it’s a priveledge.

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[HappyOnAlki]

CarDriver, you seem to be missing this point: “While it is legal to turn on a red arrow, there’s no requirement to do so.” Time to chill.

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[KBear]

Nonsense, CarDriver. You can’t ALWAYS see what the person in front of you is stopped for, let alone several cars in front of you. And this thread is about a particular intersection where you definitely CAN’T see everything until you’ve already crept past the stop line.

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[CarDriver]

KBear. Once you’ve made a complete stop it IS legal to ease out to check for oncoming car’s. I’m NOT advocating that anybody do something unsafe just asking that when you get behind the wheel that you remember that you’re not the only one on the road. To HappyOnAlki’s comment I actually don’t get upset if people don’t turn-just make a mental note that there’s another person behind the wheel not paying attention. I’m content to idle a little bit longer. I would love to make people recite what the traffic law’s actually are. Am guessing at least a 99.99% failure rate.

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